# Installing SpacePy

The simplest way from zero to a working SpacePy setup is:

> 1. Install the Anaconda Python environment. Python 3 is recommended (as is, usually, 64-bit).
> 2. `pip install --upgrade spacepy`

If you are familiar with installing Python packages, have particular preferences for managing an installation, or if the above doesn’t work, refer to platform-specific instructions and the details below. (In particular, if you will use `LANLstar` on Windows, see Windows Installation.)

For installing the NASA CDF library to support `pycdf`, see the platform-specific instructions linked below.

If you need further assistance, you can open an issue.

- SpacePy Dependencies
- Linux Installation
- MacOS Installation
- Windows Installation

SpacePy installs with the common Python distutils and pip.

The latest stable release is provided via PyPI To install from PyPI, make sure you have pip installed:

    pip install --upgrade spacepy

If you are installing for a single user, and are not working in a virtual environment, add the `--user` flag when installing with pip.

Source releases are available from PyPI and our github. Development versions are on github.

After downloading and unpacking, run (a virtual environment, such as a conda environment, is recommended):

    python setup.py install

or, to install for all users (not in a virtual environment):

    sudo python setup.py install

or, to install for a single user (not in a virtual environment):

    python setup.py install --user

If you do not have administrative privileges, or you will be developing for SpacePy, we strongly recommend using virtual environments.

To install in custom location, e.g.:

    python setup.py install --home=/n/packages/lib/python

Installs using `setup.py` do not require setuptools.